Beware, though. The Intrepid R/T is not a racing car. Its roadhandling characteristics are far superior to a standard Intrepid but the car remains a heavy sedan with all its handicaps. On the short St-Eustache race track, the car handled well thanks to its sticky Michelin Pilot tires but there was a limit to observe. Braking was surprisingly efficient thanks to four disks and ABS. As far as acceleration is concerned, the big Chrysler could reach 100 km/h in some 8 seconds and passing was pretty comfortable. Engine and exhaust sound were tame at highway speed. Probably Chrysler should have given a more aggressive look to the Intrepid R/T. But I still think that the exercise was done with good taste, none too tacky. The idea was to give the street Intrepid the feeling some racing drivers will have aboard real racing Intrepids. It is obviously impossible. But imagine the pride Intrepid R/T owners will feel when they see the first NASCAR Intrepid cross the checkered flag in a win. They will surely feel as proud as Al Turner did with his own CASCAR Intrepid when he won his first race in 2000!
*Editor: This story appears in the November issue of Performance Racing News (E. Decarries)
*Editor: This story appears in the November issue of Performance Racing News (E. Decarries)
Article Gallery